AIRINC (Associates for International Research, Inc.)

Below is a selection of government tax responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. These highlights are part of AIRINC's recent Data Points publication and are only a few of the many global changes that we are tracking on a daily basis.

In 2018, the United States declared its intention to withdraw from the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a 192-member body which regulates global mail service. The precipitating event was the growth of e-commerce and a shift for the U.S. from net sender to net receiver of international mail.

With the COVID-19 pandemic and the interconnected fall in global oil demand in the first half of 2020, many locations throughout the world are experiencing price changes and shortages of goods and services items.

Data Points brings you the latest updates from our Housing, Goods & Services, and Tax departments. These highlights are based on our expert international surveys, which are conducted on location by our global data collection team.

AIRINC Housing Update: Below are select snapshots of rental markets around the world. These updates are taken from AIRINC's on-site surveys conducted during the first quarter of 2020. 

With the rapid spread of COVID-19 throughout the past few months, many locations throughout the world are experiencing shortages and/or price changes to many goods and services items. The unprecedented outbreak has led to shortages in many locations that do not regularly experience supply disruptions. Reasons for the shortages include exceptional demand for certain items such as disinfectants, medical products, and non-perishable staple foods, and disruptions to supply chains resulting from travel or operational restrictions.

Data Points brings you the latest updates from our Housing, Goods & Services, and Tax departments. These highlights are based on our expert international surveys, which are conducted on location by our global data collection team.

AIRINC is featured in the February edition of Mobility, a magazine that "examines the key issues affecting the global mobility workforce." This article appears on page 10, the "Tips and Trends" section, and is entitled Housing Markets on the Rise—and Not. 

Berlin rents increased over the past year. Demand is growing from new start-up companies and larger international companies establishing headquarters in Berlin. Construction of new rental units is underway but expected to take a few more years before appearing on the market.

For years, Venezuela’s currency (currently the VES, was VEF) was the only currency legal to use within the country. However, with hyperinflation and a rapidly depreciating currency, using the VES was often difficult. Although not technically legal, transactions would often still occur using U.S. dollars, as it is a stable currency.